Have you decided to go on a solo trip? Congratulations! You’ve just made an amazing and courageous decision! If you’re still debating and want to research more about solo trips, check out GlobeSister’s article on why you should go on a solo trip. For those who have decided, this article is an extensive packing list for your trip!
Tips
Safety
Unlike when traveling with friends, a major concern for solo traveling, especially for female travelers, is safety. Since you’re traveling solo, you might encounter cases where you need to walk alone or Uber alone at night or at other attractions. In such situations, safety equipment becomes extremely important. Some popular types of safety equipment include siren/alarm keychains, pepper spray, and stun gun flashlights. We would definitely recommend purchasing one of these.
You can also consider downloading location-tracking apps so your friends and family can have access to your location when in danger. For the IOS system, you can directly share your phone’s address on the Find Me app. Apps such as Zenly, BFF, or Famisafe, whichever one you prefer, also help track each other’s location.
Regarding finances, bring a spare card and extra cash and hide them in your bag in case you lose your wallet or in other emergencies. In the extremely unlikely but scary case that you encounter some kind of robber, always keep $20 in your wallet that you can hand out.
Read Globesister’s Safety tips for female solo travelers.
Legal identifications
For the logistical side of the trip, you need to prepare legal documents. Don’t forget your ID if you’re renting a car or if you’re going on a plane. And remember to apply for a visa if you’re traveling abroad and the destination requires a visa. Travel insurance might also be a great idea to have for solo traveling when you encounter situations you cannot solve yourself. Bring a physical copy of your important documents instead of relying on technology.
Cleaning Supplies
If you’re going on a long plane ride or if you’re going to stay at different hotels, we recommend packing a toiletry bag so it’s easier to do cleaning routines and easier to pack up for the next stop. If you’re going on trips longer than a week, you can bring a bag of dry detergents so you can wash your clothes every week at your accommodation.
In terms of makeup products, bring cloth makeup remover or cleansing balm instead of cleansing oils. It will save you time and space, and you don’t need to worry about your oil spilling out in your luggage or getting checked at the airport for bringing liquid over the allowed amount.
For other liquid products that you wish to bring, put them in the small bottles that are designed for bringing liquid on the plane. They usually have sizes below 100ml, which is the allowed liquid amount for many airlines. Of course, the allowance also depends on what airline you’re flying and whether it’s a domestic or international trip. So make sure you check the regulations beforehand and get the right size. They also help save you space since you get rid of some big packaging.
On GlobeSister’s app, you can find great hosts for your accommodation during the trip. Some of them might provide cleaning supplies so make sure to discuss this with your host!
Clothes
Check the weather of your destination prior to your trip to determine generally what kind of clothes you should pack-T-shirt or jackets.
For shorter trips, just pack for the days you need. For longer trips, pack for 8-9 days and do laundry at your accommodations to save space.
Checklist
Besides those listed, here’s a general checklist for packing! See if you’re missing anything!
Logistics
Credit card
Cash
Cash in different currencies for international travel
Health Insurance Card
Map of your destination
Physical copy of your important documents
Devices
Phone
Laptop if you need it
Camera if you have one and enjoy taking pictures on a camera
Chargers
Portable batteries
Outlets
Plug adapter for international trips
Toiletry bag
Toothbrush/paste
Hairbrush
Cotton buds
Sun-care products
Shampoo/shower gel if your accommodation doesn’t provide
Dry detergent
Makeup products
Skin-care products
Clothes
T-shirts
Sweatshirts
Jackets
Yoga pants
Leggings
Skirts
Jeans
Dress, a formal one if you need it
Swimsuit
Underwear
Socks
Hat
Sandals
Hiking shoes
Boots
Miscellaneous
Safety equipment
Notebook/paper
Pens
Scissors/knife-be aware you cannot bring them in carry on for planes
Flashlight
Plastic bag for laundry
Shower towel if your accommodation doesn’t provide
A book
Mosquito repellent depending on your destination
Bandages, you never know when you’ll get injured
Other medications you need
These are our tips and checklist for packing for solo traveling! All in all, preparing for solo travel can get very stressful. But don’t worry, the trip will be worth it, and you will find many friends along the way. If you’re worried about that, consider reading Globesister’s article on how to make friends during a solo trip. Moreover, sisters will be sharing on GlobeSister’s community about their solo travel experiences that can help you prepare for yours! Don’t forget to check it out and hope you have a great time!